Ulcerative Colitis FAQs

What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease that affects the colon or large intestine. With ulcerative colitis, the innermost lining of the intestine becomes inflamed and tiny open sores form. These sores bleed and produce pus and mucus. The inflammation causes the intestine to empty frequently, which results in bouts of bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.

How is ulcerative colitis different from Crohn’s disease?

Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease cause inflammation of the intestine and can cause similar symptoms; however, the two diseases are very different. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract — the small intestine, large intestine, or colon. Ulcerative colitis, however, affects only the colon or large intestine.

You can find more information about Crohn’s disease at LivingwithCrohnsDisease.com.

What causes ulcerative colitis?

Doctors are not sure why or how ulcerative colitis develops. It is probably some combination of a person’s genes and how the immune system in the intestine reacts to an environmental, dietary, or infectious agent. Ulcerative colitis is marked by an abnormal response in the immune system. Usually, various cells and proteins protect the body from infection. However, in ulcerative colitis the immune system reacts inappropriately. Researchers believe that once the immune system is turned on, it does not know when or how to turn off. This results in inflammation and ulceration.

Does stress cause ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is not caused by stress; however, stress can aggravate symptoms in some people.

What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?

The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgent bowel movements, a feeling that one still has to move their bowels immediately after having done so, passage of mucus, and crampy abdominal pain. Other symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of body fluids and nutrients

What medications are used to treat ulcerative colitis?

There is no medication that can cure ulcerative colitis. However, some medications may help alleviate the symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory agents, steroids, or immunomodulators to reduce inflammation. Other medications that may be prescribed include antidiarrheal drugs to control diarrhea and antibiotics.

What role does food play in the treatment of ulcerative colitis?

There is no evidence that any particular food causes ulcerative colitis. But some people may find that certain foods may aggravate their symptoms. Also, diarrhea and bleeding can cause nutritional deficiencies and rob the body of fluids and electrolytes. Proper nutrition is important to ensure that your body stays healthy.